Display devices



Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE 3,200,960

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed May 7, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 f CORNER IRONs J7 IIIR Q Q VI|7-2'/2 vII7-2 2 ZINC ZINC zINC CORNER CORNER CORNER I v IRONIRON IRON [3x5 3x5 3x4 II [I m E VII7-3 V1l5- 2 7 ZINC ZINC Ill/I vCORNER CORNER IRON IRON I L Ge o zye Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE DISPLAYDEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1962 VENTOR.

N, a fm 136 601291? g figwz Aug. 17, 1965 G. BANSE 3,200,969

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed May 7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 II N 5! INVENTOR Gear6 flange 1 17 JwZZQ OMS United States Patent rats May 7, 1%2, Ser. No.192,909 4 Claims. cl. 211-59 This invention relates to display devicesfor packages of merchandise and has to do more particularly with adevice for conveniently and attractively displaying merchandise inclosedin bag or envelope-type containers.

Many small articles or sets of articles of merchandise are commonlypackaged in bag or envelope-type containers formed at least in part bytransparent material so that the articles are visible through the wallsof the container. Such packages are commonly displayed on flat countersbut in such case the packages do not present an attractive appearanceand the packages are not arranged so that the contents are readilyvisible. Moreover, where a number of different items are displayed on asingle counter, it if often ditlicult for the customer to locatetheparticular article desired. Where the different varieties of articlesare segregated in separate compartments, it is often necessary for thecustomer to pick up one or more packages to select the desired package.In such case, it is difficult to prevent the packages from beingreturned by the customers to the wrong compartment after inspection.

I have found that in all stores there are a number of areas wheremerchandise can be displayed and arranged conveniently in quantity forthe customer to select the desired item, which areas are currently notused for display and storage of merchandise and therefore are wastedareas. One such area is the space in front of a tier of shelves. Oftenthe shelves are open in order to display the merchandise but it isusually difficult to display a large number of packaged items on shelvesso that all the items are readily visible. Moreover, the space in frontof the shelves is not utilized.

Another available area is the space above counters on which merchandiseis displayed. Some utilization of this space is currently made by usingtree-like display stands but such stands, as now constructed, often havelarge bases which take up considerable counter space. Moreover, thearticles are not attractively displayed on such stands and it is usuallydifilcult to readily inspect the line of goods displayed and quickly andeasily select the desired item.

Many stores have cabinets for goods which cabinets are closed byswinging doors. An attempt to utilize the space in the front of thedoors has been made by displaying unpackaged samples individuallythereon, with articles being stored in the cabinets behind the doors.Thus, when a sale is to be made the salesman must open the door andremove from the cabinet an article similar to the one selected by thecustomer.

Furthermore, in many stores there is a considerable amount of wall spacewhere there are no shelves or cabinets. An attempt to use this space hasbeen made by attaching specimens of articles on the wall. Such articlesare merely for display and it is necessary for the customer to seekelsewhere in the store for the article to be pur chased.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a panel device of convenientsize, carrying a plurality of hangers, each capable of holding aplurality of packages of merchandise contained in bag or envelope-typecontainers, the hangers being so arranged that the packages on adjacenthangers do not overlap but are separated whereby the contents of thefront packages of those on each hanger are readily visible. The paneldevice is of such size that it can conveniently be supported in positionto utilize space which otherwise is wasted or is used merely for displayand not for dispensing merchandise to be sold. For example, the panelmay be suspended from the front edge of one or more shelves of a tierand overhang the space between the shelf and the next lower shelf. Thepanel may be of such size and so suspended that it can readily be swungup to permit access to the underlying space between the shelves. Inother embodiment, the panel may be suspended from a frame mounted on acounter and located over the counter. In another use, the panel may bemounted either movably or fixedly on the front of a cabinet door. In agenerally similar manner, the panel may be supported on the wall of thestore.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improveddisplay device for merchandise.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise wherebypackages of merchandise can be displayed in quantity and in readilyvisible condition.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise whichdevice is of such construction that it can be readily supported in frontof the space between two superposed shelves, or hung over a counter orattached to the front of a door or to a wall.

Another object is to provide display device for merchandise which iscapable of being located in areas which otherwise represent wasted spacein a store.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise which isso constructed as to permit merchandise to be readily arranged thereonwith different items disposed in predetermined locations.

Another object is to provide a display device for merchandise which issimple and inexpensive to manufacture and install and which is highlyeflicient to display the merchandise and at the same time to maintain aplurality of items of various kinds in position for ready access by aclerk or a customer.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the appended drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View of a panel device constructed inaccordance with the invention and carrying a plurality of packages ofmerchandise;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged View of a section taken along line 2-2of FIG. 1; r

FIG. 3 is a top view of the portion of the structure shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one mode of mountingthe panel devices and showing one of the panel devices rocked outwardlyfrom its normal position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing particularly themethod of supporting the panel device from a shelf;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second mode of mountingthe panel devices;

FIG. 7 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through aportion of the structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational. view showing a third mode ofmounting the panel devices; U

FIG. 9 is a view of a section taken along line 9-- of PEG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detailof the structure of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view show. ing a fourth modeof mounting the panel device.

The invention is particularly well adapted for use in the display anddispensing of small articles or sets of articles contained in bag-likeor envelope-like containers of a type hereinafter described more indetail. It is particularly well adapted for displaying and dispensingpack ages containing small items of builders hardware and is shown inconnection there-with although it will be understood that it may be usedin displaying and dispensing other small articles.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the merchandise package ltl includes anormally flat bag-like portion 11 formed of transparent material such asa known plastic and having an open upper end through which the articlesof merchandise are inserted. The upper end is closed by a strip 12 ofrelatively more rigid material such as cardboard which is folded overthe end of the bag 11 and secured thereto as by staples 13. The member12 thus not only serves to close the bag 11 but serves as a semi-rigidmeans for suspending the bag from a supporting member. To this end themember 12 is formed with an elongated slot 14 and the correspondingportions of the bag are formed with similar slots (not shown).

Differently sized containers are used for different sizes of merchandiseas illustrated particularly in FIG. 1 of the drawings. However, theslots 14 in each case preferably are the same size for a purpose whichwill hereinafter appear.

A panel device is provided for supporting a number of packages ofmerchandise for displaying the same and permitting them to be dispenseddirectly from the panel device. The panel device includes a panel boardor member 15 formed of rigid material such as wood, plywood, wallboardor other material of sufficient rigidity to serve the purposeshereinafter explained. The panel member is preferably of such size thatit can be conveniently carried and placed in position but at the sametime is sufficiently large and strong to support a plurality of packagesof merchandise. It will 'be understood that the panel member may be madein a wide variety of sizes and shapes although preferably it is made ina square or rectangular shape. One size of panel board which has beenfound suitable for the present invention is a board 14 inches high, 18inches long and A2 inch thick. A board of this size is sufficientlylarge to display in laterally spaced relation approximately eight or tenstacks of merchandise packages of a size appropriate to many differentvarieties of merchandise items and sufficiently strong to support atleast ten or twelve packages in each stack.

While the panel device may be supported in any one of a number ofdifferent ways by various types of supporting means, I prefer to provideit with at least two spaced openings 16 near the top therethrough ofsufficient size to receive screws, nails, hooks orother fasteningdevices of conventional construction so that it can readily be attachedto a supporting means without the necessity for performing any furtheroperations on the board after it has been made and supplied to a user.

For the purpose of supporting merchandise packages on the panel member15 a plurality of hangers 17 are provided, one of which is shown indetail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hanger is formed preferably of strong,rigid material such as steel and is of generally hairpin shape andincludes a pair of generally straight legs 18 joined 'by an arcuateportion 19. The major portions of the legs 18 are straight and generallyparallel but preferably diverge slightly away from the arcuate portion19. The leg portions lie in the same plane except for the extreme endportions thereof adjacent the arcuate portion 1 which end portionstogether with the arcuate portion 19 are bent out of the plane of themajor portions of the legs. The arcuate portion 1) provides a certainamount of resiliency. Each of the free end portions of each leg isformed with a straight portion 20 bent out of the plane of the major legportion slightly less than 90 as seen particularly in FIG. 2 of thedrawings. Outwardly beyond the portion 20 is a portion 21 extending at aslightly more than 90 angle from the portion 20. The extreme end portion22 of the leg extends from the portion 21 at an angle of slightly morethan 90.

The panel member 15 is provided with a plurality of pairs of openings 25extending therethrough and of such size and locations as to receive thefree end portions of the hangers 17 respectively. The openings 25 may bespaced apart a distance slightly greater than the normal distancebetween the leg portions 13 so that when the end portions are insertedin the openings, the legs are slightly expanded away from each other andexert a cor responding gripping action on the panel member 15.

When the hanger 17 is in position on the panel member 15 as seenparticularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the portions 21 of each leg are locatedin correspondingly disposed openings 25. The extreme end portions 22extend along the rear face of the panel member 15 and the portions 20extend along the front face of the panel member 15. Thus, the majorportion of the hanger member extends outwardly from the front face ofthe panel member 15 and is inclined slightly upward in an outward direction.

In the use of the panel device 5 it is suitably supported in an uprightposition with its front face in a generally vertical plane. One or moremerchandise packages 11 are hung on each of the hangers 17 by passingthe opening over the outer end of the hanger. In the preferredutilization of the panel device, packages of similar items ofmerchandise are suspended from a single hanger. In order to facilitatethe desired arrangement of the pact ages on the panel device, the faceof the panel member 15 is provided in indicia 30 under each hangercorresponding to indicia 31 appearing on the rear face of the portion 12of the package. For the purposes of illustration, one of the merchandisepackages in FIG. 1 is shown with its rear face outwardly and showing theindicia thereon corresponding to the indicia (not shown) appearing onthe face of the panel member 15 under the hanger 17 on which the packageis hung. Ordinarily, however, the package is hung on the hanger so thefront face, which normally carries the manufacturers identity, isexposed and the rear face with the indicia number does not show.

The hangers 17 are preferably so arranged on the panel member 15 thatwhen the packages are hung on their respective proper hangers, packageson adjacent hangers are slightly spaced so that they do not overlie oneanother. Thus, the merchandise is fully displayed and the packages canbe conveniently removed from their respective hangers.

The panel device 5 is of such size and construction that it may besupported in any one of a number of different locations within a storeand particularly in locations where the space otherwise would not beutilized.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a cabinet 40 comprising aplurality of shelves two of which, 41 and 42, are shown, which shelvesare adapted to merchandise, usually cartons or other packages. Suchcarton may contain packages of merchandise such as the packages 10.Depending upon the length of the shelves, one or more panel devices 5are suspended from the front edge of one or more of the shelves and in aposition to overlie the front portion of the space between such shelf 41and the underlying shelf 42. Thus, the panel device 5 is not onlymaintained in position to display the articles of merchandise carriedthereon and permit the clerk or customer to remove thedesired packagestherefrom but also the panel device serves to cover the space betweenthe shelves and thus present a more attractive appearance than wheresuch space is not covered.

For the purpose of permitting ready access to shelves 41 and 42, thepanel member is swingably supported from the front edge of the shelf bya plurality of screw hooks 43, each having a threaded portion (notshown) adapted to be screwed into the edge of the shelf, a straightportion 44 and an upturned end 45. This arrangement permits the paneldevice 5 to be readily suspended from the shelf 41 and to be rocked intoposition (as shown in FIG. 4) permitting the removal of merchandise fromthe shelf 42. Also if desired, when it becomes necessary to replenishthe stock on the shelf 42, the panel device :or devices 5 can beentirely removed from the cabinet.

A plurality of panel devices 5 also can be supported above a counter ofthe type which is normally utilized for displaying and dispensingarticles of merchandise. The space above such counters can be utilizedfor displaying and dispensing packages from the panel device withoutunduly interfering with the use of the counter. To this end, a frame 5'9is supported on a counter 51 and upstands from the counter in a positionto support the panel device 5 above the counter at such location as tonot interfere unduly with the utilization of the counter. The frame 50may be constructed in any convenient manner and preferably is formedfrom pipe or rod stock with suitable supporting and connecting members.For example, the frame 50 preferably includes two upright end portionsor uprights 57 (one of which is shown) supported in sockets 52, securedto the top of the counter 51. Connected between and supported by theuprights 51 is an upper horizontal portion or member 53 from which oneor more panel devices 5 are suspended. The panel devices are suspendedfrom the horizontal portion 53 in any suitable manner in order toprovide maximum utilization of the space above the counter. Where thecounter is exposed on both sides, two panel devices 5 are suspended inback to back relation as seen in FIG. 6.

The panel members may be, conveniently suspended from the horizontalportion 53 by hooks 54 of generally U shape having hooked end portions55 adapted to extend through the openings 25 in the panel members 15. Inorder to stabilize the panel device 5 and prevent undue swinging whenthe packages are placed on or removed from the hangers 17, the frame isprovided with a second horizontal portion or member 56 connected betweenthe uprights 51 and at a location well below the upper horizontal member53 but above the lower ends of the panel device 5 so that the innerfaces of the panel device are positioned to abut such lower horizontalportion 56.

In many stores there are cabinets either against the walls or in theaisles which are provided with hingedly mounted swinging doors. Inaccordance with the present invention, the faces of such door areutilized for supporting one or more panel devices on each door.Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a cabinet 60 having doors 61mounted as by hinges 62 for swinging movement between open and closedposition. Such doors often have a recessed center panel 63 of lesserthickness than the surrounding frame portions 64.

The upper panel device 5 as shown in FIG. 8 may be attached to the door61 by screws 65 extending through the panel member and screwed into theupper portion of the frame portion 64 of the door, the space between therear face of the panel member and the center panel 63 serving toaccommodate the inner bent-up ends of the hooks 17.

Where the door is provided with a recessed panel, such as panel 63, thepanel device 5 below the upper one may be attached in the manner shownin FIG. 10. In this construction, the panel member 15 is attached to thedoor panel 63 by screws 66 which extend through the panel member 15 andare threaded into the door panel 63 with spacing collar 67 beingprovided between the panel member 15 and the door panel 63. The spacingcollar is of such length as to provide suflicient spacing between therear face of the panel member 15 and the front face of the door panel 63to accommodate the inner ends of the hanger 17.

It will be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the paneldevice may be secured to the sides of the door frame portion 64 byscrews (not shown) extending through the panel member adjacent its sideedges. However, this necessitates either providing screw holes orscrewing the screws through the material of the panel member which isnot as convenient as the use of preformed openings 25 described inconnection with the panel device shown in FIG. 1.

Where the doors 61 have flush type front faces, the panel devices may besecured thereto by the use of screws and collars such as shown in FIG.10.

The panel device of the present invention may be supported on a wall ofthe store conveniently by the use of a so-called Peg Board. Such aconstruction is shown in FIG. 11 to which reference is now made. The PegBoard '70 is formed in the usual manner and includes a flatfaced,thin-walled member formed of material of suitable rigidity such aswallboard and having a plurality of openings 72 therein extending over asubstantial portion or all of its area. Conventionally, such openingsare equally spaced and sufficiently close together to permit theattachment of items to the board in any one of a number of desiredlocations. The Peg Board 70 is supported from a wall '13 preferably by aconstruction generally similar to that shown in FIG. 10 and including ascrew 74 threaded into the wall and passing through a collar '75 whichserves to space the Peg Board from the face of the wall 73.

The panel device 5 is attached to the Peg Board 70 by two or more hooks(one of which is shown). Each hook includes a straight portion 81adapted to lie against the face of the Peg Board, a hook portion 82extended to adapt through the opening 25 and an offset portion 33extended through one of the openings 72in the Peg Board and to engagethe rear face of the Peg Board. It will be seen that the hook St is soconstructed that when it is in its position on the Peg Board, it servesto space the panel member 15 from the front face of the Peg Boardsufficiently to accommodate the extreme end portions 22 of the hangers17.

While as above stated, it may be found desirable to make minormodifications in the manner of supporting the panel device as forexample when it is to be attached to a door, ordinarily it will not benecessary to make any changes or modifications in the panel device toadapt it for support from any one of a large number of different typesof supports. Thus, the panel device can be delivered to the retailer bythe manufacturer in condition for supporting it in any one of a numberof desired locations. It is only necessary then for the retailer tomount the panel device and the packages of merchandise on the paneldevice and preferably in the locations indicated by the several indiciaprovided on the face of the panel member.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising,

a panel member, and

a support for said panel member,

said panel member having a plurality of openings therethrough,

a plurality of hanger brackets removably mounted on said panel member insaid openings in a geometric pattern determined by the arrangement ofsaid openings in said panel member,

a plurality of packages supported on said hangers,

said hangers being spaced apart a sufficient distance such that thepackages supported thereby do not overlap one another,

said panel carrying indicia thereon under each hanger corresponding inidentity to the article in the package suspended from the correspondinghanger and in position to be overlaid by the package,

said support including a plurality of vertically-spaced,

horizonal shelves, and suspension means for suspending said panel memberfrom the front edge of an upper shelf in position and overlying the nextlower shelf to thereby openly display said panel member and packages ina convenient ordered arrangement.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said suspension meansincludes a member engaging said panel member as the upper portionthereof for rockable movement of said panel member upwardly away fromsaid next lower shelf.

3. A display device comprising a panel member and a support member,

said panel member having a plurality of openings therethrough,

a plurality of hanger brackets removably mounted on said panel member insaid openings in a geometric pattern determined by the arrangement ofsaid openings in said panel member,

a plurality of packages supported on said hangers,

said hangers being spaced apart a sufiicient distance such that thepackages supported thereby do not overlap one another,

said support member including a plurality of verticallyspaced,horizontal shelves and suspension means for suspending said panel memberfrom the front edge of an upper shelf in position to overlie the nextlower shelf, to thereby provide a convenient and ordered display devicefor said packages. I

4-. A display device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said suspensionmeans engages said panel member at the upper portion thereof forrockable movement of said panel member upwardly away from said nextlower shelf.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/36 Eastman.5/08 Pleister 248-61 9/09 Hiss 248-61 11/ 09 Peirce 248-61 12/ 1 2Francis 40-129 10/27 Alheit 312-1404 1/30 Reid 312-1404 1/31 Hobbs40-128 12/33 Bodkin 248-223 7/41 DArcey 312-138 5/46 Burkhard 248-220 2/49 Schneider 211-113 4/50 Luitjens et al 40-128 10/52 Mapson 211-11311/55 Harwood et al 211-182 11/57 Samuels 248-223 7/60 Parker 248-21411/60 Hofirnan 211-59 3 /62 Shape 248-220 X 6/63 Berman 211-182 FOREEGNPATENTS 6/55 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBGTT, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING, A PANEL MEMBER, AND ASUPPORT FOR SAID PANEL MEMBER, SAID PANEL MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OFOPENING THERETHROUGH, A PLURALITY OF HANGER BRACKETS REMOVABLY MOUNTEDON SAID PANEL MEMBER IN SAID OPENINGS IN A GEOMETRIC PATTERN DETERMINEDBY THE ARRANGEMENT OF SAID OPENINGS IN SAID PANEL MEMBER, A PLURALITY OFPACKAGES SUPPORTED ON SAID HANGERS, SAID HANGERS BEING SPACED APART ASUFFICIENT DISTANCE SUCH THAT THE PACKAGES SUPPORTED THEREBY DO NOEOVERLAP ONE ANOTHER, SAID PANEL CARRYING INDICIA THEREON UNDER EACHHANGER CORRESPONDING IN IDENTITY TO THE ARTICLE IN THE PACKAGE SUSPENDEDFROM THE CORRESPONDING HANGER AND IN POSITION TO BE OVERLAID BY THEPACKAGE, SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY-SPACED,HORIZONTAL SHELVES, AND SUSPENSION MEANS FOR SUSPENDING SAID PANELMEMBER FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF AN UPPER SHELF IN POSITION AND OVERLYINGTHE NEXT LOWER SHELF TO THEREBY OPENLY DISPLAY SAID PANEL MEMBER ANDPACKAGES IN A CONVENIENT ORDERED ARRANGEMENT.